Controlling mechanism for automobiles.



No. 66l-,543. Patented Nov. l3, I900. J. G. MACPHERSUN.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FDR AUTOMOBILES. (Application filed June 26, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 66!,543. PaLentedN-uv. l3, I900.

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CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application filed June 25, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 556L543. Patented Novwl3, 1-900. L J. G. MAcPHERSON.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES. (Application filed June '25, 1900..)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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JOIIN G. MACIIIERSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MAOPI-IERSON AUTOMOBILE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

SIREGIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 661,543, dated November 13, 1900.

Application filed June 25,1900- Serial No. 21,480. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. MAOPHERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 0011- trolling Mechanisms for Automobiles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements of controllingmechanisms for automobiles; and the main object of my invention is the provision of a simple device by which to connect the running-gear of an automobile with a motive power, to regulate the speed, and also to reverse the movement of the automobile, the different operations being accomplished by the movement of a single lever.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a simple, durable, and cheap controlling mechanism which is thoroughly practical and very efficient in every particular.

To attain the desired objects, my invention consists of a controlling mechanism for automobiles embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts, substantially as disclosed herein.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the gas-engine frame with my controlling mechanism in position. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the clutch-operating arm, taken on line a; m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detached View of the clutch-operating arm. Fig. at is a detail View of the reversing mechanism, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of the clutch and arms.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the engine-frame, and upon the driving-shaft 2 of the engine is loosely mounted the sleeve 3, which has a lateral movement, so that its teeth will engage with the teeth at of the shaft, forming a clutch. Secured to the pins 5 of the sleeve are the arms 6, which are secured together by means of the rod 7, whose upper end is mounted in the zigzag slot 8 of the clutch operating arm 9, which is slidably mounted upon the plate 10 by means of the bolts 11, mounted in the slots 12 in the ends of the arm. Connected to the forward end of this arm is the short rod 13, hinged to the lower end of the lever 14:, fulcrnmed to the floor of the automobile. This lever is also provided with a dog 15, which engages the segment 16, se cured to the floor of the automobile.

Formed integral with the forward end of the arm 9 is the lug 17, which when the lever is reversed engages the end of the L-lever 18, which operates the friction-clutch 19, mounted upon the reversing-shaft 20, whose gears mesh so as to cause the running-gear of the automobile to be reversed without reversing the engine.

From this description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of my improved controlling mechanism is readily understood and its numerous advantages fully appreciated; but the operation,brietly stated, is as follows:

The engine is set in operation, and I would have it understood that I employ a gas or gasolene engine which is always going in the same direction, and by moving the hand-lever backward to notch ct of the segment the portion of the zigzag slot marked A is in engagement with the head 21 of the rod 7, and by moving the lever to the notch 11 of the segment the head 21 is moved so as to engage the portion B of the slot, which allows the running-gear of the automobile to be run at its highest speed, this movement forward regulating the speed and also engaging the running-gear with the engine-shaft. To re verse the movement of the running-gear, it is simply necessary to reverse the lever by pulling it forward upon the smooth portion of the segment, this movement of the lever causing the lug on the arm 9 to operate the reversing-gears without stopping or reversing the engine, thus insuring a safe and sure reverse or backward movement of the automobile.

From this description and also the draw ings it will be seen that I provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive construction of controlling mechanism which is very useful and practical.

I claim- In combination with an automobile-engine, of a controlling mechanism therefor, compriswhen the hand-lever is pushed forward, a

small shaft to the rear of the engines shaft,

and a clutch carried by said small shaft and Operated by the L-lever to reverse the movement of the automobile Without affecting the engine.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. MAOPHERSON.

Witnesses: v

DAVID P. MOORE, BERNARD M. OFFUTT. 

